AIR ARABIA

Air Arabia, described as the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the MENA region, has unveiled a UAE visa service designed for Saudi Arabia in partnership with IVS Global Services. For the first time, expatriates residing in the Kingdom will be able to apply for their visa to the UAE more easily than before. The airline launched this product in partnership with IVS Global Services. Passengers can now apply for their e-visas by visiting any Air Arabia sales shop. These centers offer a one-stop-shop for visa and hotel assistance, flight bookings and car rentals. A.K. Nizar, head of commercial department at Air Arabia, said: "We now connect Saudi Arabia to the UAE with a total of 37 weekly flights so the launch of this visa service aims to help accommodate the significant increase in visa requests. We have pioneered e-ticketing in this region and are happy to add value to that by now offering visa assistance. We are committed to offering the best value for money air travel solutions and the very highest standards of service." New Airbus A320 aircraft, the best legroom of any economy class travel, free hotel and car assistance are just some of the benefits of flying Air Arabia. Based out of the Sharjah International Airport, the LCC provides fast check-in processes, low congestion, friendly airport staff and convenient connection timings. The award-winning airline commenced operations in October 2003 and currently operates a total fleet of 27 new Airbus A320 aircraft, serving 67 routes from three hubs in the UAE, Morocco and Egypt.
 
QATAR AIRWAYS

Qatar Airways has once again been lauded for its Business Class, earning premier accolades at two separate award ceremonies in Dubai. For the sixth year running, the Doha-based carrier retained the Leading Business Class Airline In Middle East title, as voted by travel industry professionals, at the World Travel Awards. The airline, now in its 14th year of operations, was honored as the region's Best Business Class by readers of the monthly magazine Business Traveller Middle East at its annual awards ceremony in Dubai. Qatar Airways' Dubai-based Country Manager UAE Mohammed El Emam collected both awards on behalf of the airline. Voting was based on the strength of the airline's in-flight service, cabin comfort, ground hospitality and product offerings for travelers in Business Class. Superior seating with a pitch of up to 78 inches, above the industry norm, and fully flat beds are a hallmark of the airline's Business Class cabin onboard its flagship long-haul aircraft, the Boeing 777. Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al-Baker said the latest awards reflected continued achievements for the young airline in a historic year of milestones. "Once again Qatar Airways has proved it is an airline being increasingly recognized for its high levels of service and outstanding products by travelers from around the world and by travel professionals." He added that Qatar Airways had come a long way since its inception in 1997, with a remarkable milestone of reaching 100 destinations recently and a fleet size set to pass 100 aircraft later this year.
 
FLYDUBAI

flydubai, Dubai's first low cost airline, has announced that three Ukrainian cities — Kiev, Kharkiv and Donetsk — will become its new destinations on the airline's rapidly growing network. Flights from Dubai will start from Sept. 16 from Kiev and Kharkiv, and on Sept. 17 from Donetsk (DOK). "We are very excited about the start of our services to Ukraine," flydubai's CEO Ghaith Al-Ghaith said. "Part of flydubai's commitment is to open up routes that are underserved by direct air links to the UAE and that is one of the reasons we have chosen Ukraine and these three cities as our destinations. The introduction of this new service will help to strengthen the ties between Ukraine and the UAE and that both nations will benefit from the additional trade, tourism and development that increased traffic on this route will bring. flydubai is partnering with leading tour operator Natalie Tours, which will give Ukrainian travelers the option of high quality package holidays to the UAE as well as direct flights to Dubai and beyond through flydubai. Everyone knows about the shopping benefits to be had in Dubai but there is so much more to the Emirates than fabulous shopping. We enjoy some of the most wonderful beaches in the world, amazing hotels and entertainment that is world class. As well as being able to marvel at some of the modern wonders of the world, such as the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, and the Palm Jumeirah, visitors will enjoy the welcome and warmth of the people of the UAE."

PHILIPS

Royal Philips Electronics, in partnership with the newly appointed Philips Personal Care distributor Ahmed Abdulwahed Company, is launching a new male grooming platform campaign, including a digital site www.philips.com/grooming offering men inspiration, expert advice and the right tools for every styling requirement - for the whole body. From chin curtains and horseshoe moustaches to trimmed torsos and full beards, Philips aims to bring creativity to the male grooming category while underpinning the platform with expert guidance and advice for every grooming requirement. "Philips has responded to Saudi men's needs by simplifying how to achieve new facial hairstyles and body grooming looks. The Philips Grooming platform campaign supports the full range of Philips grooming products that are designed to encourage experimentation with different styles," said Dick Bunschoten, GM Saudi Arabia, Philips Electronics MEA. "With the male grooming platform campaign, Philips wants to be a helping hand to modern men by addressing their grooming concerns in the language they speak." Upon entering the website men will be given a visual array of different styles for face and body hair, from “start to finish”. Upon selecting a particular style, the user will be able to view a humorous briefing video by a particular “character” that epitomizes that style on how to create that look. Yaser Abdulwahed, sales and marketing director of Ahmed Abdulwahed Co., said the Jeddah headquartered company founded in 1963 has been a major importer and distributor of many products of reputable international brands, and has a network of branches and showrooms with more than 42 outlets Kingdomwide.
 
REDTAG

With the opening of its 31st store in Saudi Arabia at Turki Centre, Alkhobar, on Wednesday, the REDTAG Group now boasts 68 stores in the GCC. The Dubai-based value fashion chain has dramatically altered the region's retail landscape in a short span of time by offering an affordable range of quality fashionwear for men, women and children as well as homeware. Ernest J. Hosking, CEO, REDTAG Group, said: "By opening our 3rd REDTAG store in Alkhobar and our 31st store in Saudi Arabia, we have taken a significant step forward in our plan to position REDTAG as a fashion retailer who makes the shortlist of any price-sensitive shopper in Saudi Arabia. REDTAG is already a force to be reckoned with in Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar and we want the brand to achieve the same stature in Saudi Arabia during 2011. Shoppers at the REDTAG store at Turki Centre can expect to pick up good quality fashionwear and homeware at affordable prices. They can also expect to see new collections in the store regularly and frequently." Riaan Albertyn, REDTAG stylist, said: "The opening of our 3rd store in Alkhobar is a clear indication that customers will always seek out the latest fashions - but at the best possible value. A “Desire To Be Different” is the main concept behind our new Summer Collection at the Turki Centre store and it promises to entice! Bold and bright colors replace the classical black. Turquoise, fuschia pink to apple green and shades of blue will be the best colors to focus on this season.
 
ASTON MARTIN

At its world premiere this weekend, the Aston Martin V12 Zagato has won the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars and Prototypes on the shores of Lake Como, Italy. Introduced as a modern interpretation of the famous Aston Martin and Zagato collaboration in the 50th anniversary year of the iconic DB4GT Zagato, the V12 Zagato was shown for the first time at this prestigious international event sparking great interest of visitors and customers. All visitors to the Concorso D'Eleganza were invited to cast their vote for the best concept and prototype. Among ten entries from around the world, the Aston Martin V12 Zagato was voted the best in class. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, said: "We are thrilled to see that this car conquered people's hearts. With the V12 Zagato we managed to add just another successful chapter both to the history of Aston Martin and the future of our brand. This is an exciting car, powerful and incredibly beautiful." Marek Reichman, design director of Aston Martin, added: "It is an honor to win this award in Italy, where many great designs originated from, and this victory shows that Aston Martin has successfully developed their own renowned design language over the past years. The result is a car that incorporates the core values of the Zagato design language which we perfectly translated into Aston Martin's modern design DNA." Bez will lead a driver team, which will eventually race two V12 Zagato cars at the Nrburgring 24 hour race on June 25-26.